Ashes 2009: Miller Plays Down Flintoff Injury

England's National selector Geoff Miller has played down the injury that could force Andrew Flintoff to miss out on the second Ashes Test match at Lord’s and which could see a return to the England team for Steve Harmison.

Miller watched Harmison in action for Durham yesterday at Headingley and he was included in the 14-man squad that was named for the second Ashes Test match. His inclusion was due to Flintoff experiencing some discomfort in his knee after the Cardiff Test.

“It's not disastrous but we just have to be very wary of it and monitor it and we've produced a selection to cover that. At the first sign, Fred’s (Andrew Flintoff) injury doesn’t look dramatic but you have to monitor it. It’s a concern because he’s getting some pain from it.”

Miller went on to say that it was Harmison’s attitude this season that has earned him his recall and not purely the way that he roughed up Australian opener Phil Hughes in the warm up game:

“He feels himself, through conversation, that he’s up and ready to do it. Harmy’s (Steve Harmison) bowled extremely well for Durham and in the Lions game. We’ve had some good reports. He has got that rhythm and hopefully he can show the same rhythm in a Test match.”

With 14 men in the squad, it gives the national selectors a number of possible combinations for the second Test match, although it would be a massive blow if Flintoff were to miss out.